"Out with the old, in with the new." That tired adage makes sense in many business settings, but not when you look at this recession's impact on the labor market.
Older employees aren't always the first to get the layoff axe today, despite assumptions about them being more expensive for an employer's bottom line.
If you look at the government's report on unemployment for April 2009, you'll see that the jobless rate for adults aged 20-24 was 14.7%, and 9.7% for adults between 25 and 34. But the rate for people over 55 was 6.4%.
This can be very good news for people who are close to retirement age but nowhere near close to retiring.
But for younger folks it's a reminder that youth isn't necessarily a big asset right now. Instead, focus on experience.
If you're young and want to keep your job -- or are looking for a new one -- here are a few tips on consider:
Highlight measurable results. Make sure you can point to your work accomplishments in terms that are quantifiable (e.g. money saved, traffic generated, new clients won, etc.). This applies to your resume as well as your annual review.
Cultivate a professional appearance -- online and off. You don't always know if you're being judged as too young or inexperienced, so guard against it by always dressing professionally for work or job interviews. Are you "tagged" in any online pics of your friend's wild bachelor party from last year? Make sure your digital presence on social-networking and community sites is professional.
Emphasize your soft skills. Even if you don't have much work experience, demonstrate and emphasize skills like dependability, good communication, problem-solving, or a good work ethic. These suggest maturity and add value for an employer.
Vacations are supposed to relieve anxiety, not cause it. Yet many people are stressing out about vacations -- particularly about whether or not to take them.
Whether it's the cost of traveling or the fear of losing your job once you're gone, many Americans are deciding to scrap their vacations this year.
Recession Victim?
When asked how the recession has changed their 2009 vacation plans, 61% of Yahoo! HotJobs site visitors responded that they are not taking a vacation at all. An additional 7% said they are taking less vacation time this year.
The informal online poll, conducted in the second week of May with over 6,000 responses, includes participants who are unemployed.
"Vacations are usually the first thing to go when people feel job or economic pressure," says Joe Robinson, a trainer in work-life balance and author of "Work to Live." He continues, "We're programmed to believe that free time is worthless, a frill to shove aside, but vacations are as important as watching your cholesterol or getting exercise."
Rescue Plans
Experts have offered some great tips, including:
Remind yourself: Vacation is not a luxury.
Put aside some funds each week. Even $20 or $50 will help finance a small trip.
Plan leisure activities near home.
Some employers are also forcing workers to take vacation this year, which can save the company money -- especially through a forced shutdown, as at the holidays. It can also be good for workers, especially ones who might be hoarding vacation time as a hedge against possible unemployment. (An understandable impulse, to be sure!)
One of the things I love about this time of year is the hopefulness that comes with college graduations. Young people with fresh ideas and high hopes enter the workforce, and illustrious commencement speakers offer wise reflections (sometimes) that can motivate us anew.
As the Class of 2009 faces one of the bleakest job markets in years, many of its members are surprisingly optimistic about their chances for finding jobs. According to a new survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 52% of seniors believe they will find a job within three months of graduation.
Lest you think these youngsters are deluded by rose-colored glasses, 64% said they are worried about their job prospects, and 61% blame the economy as an impediment to getting a job.
"The results suggest that students understand the economy is a factor, but do not believe it will stop them from finding a job," said Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director.
It's a great attitude that all job seekers should adopt.
Adjust your expectations. Don't restrict yourself to jobs that are directly related to your major. Focus on transferable skills that get your foot in the door, and you can transition later.
Don't rely only on resumes. Use your alumni and college career resources, and network as much as you can. You may get a job based on a referral, not a resume.
A part-time job is still a job. Don't reject part-time work as you search for the job you want. The experience will be useful and will reflect well on your work ethic.
For more helpful advice for new grads starting their professional lives, check out these articles:
As for inspiration, I'm still waiting for some good nuggets from this year's crop of speeches. For me, nothing has been able to top a 2002 address by the late Mr. Rogers, with its simple, moving example of what it means to win.
Like addressing a cover letter to "Ms. Kennedy" when the recruiter has a different name and gender. Or starting a phone interview by asking, "Now what job is this for?"
Most of us have pretty good ideas about what NOT to do in a job search, but recruiters can offer even better insights. In the latest edition of the Recruiter Roundtable on Yahoo! HotJobs, participants were asked to share their "pet peeves" about job seekers. Their answers are very enlightening.
Nobody Is Perfect
The answer that surprised me most: Candidates who are perfect. In other words, people who don't offer anything substantive when asked about their weaknesses in a job interview. Instead they say something like, "One area I could improve on is maybe working a little less."
"People who are so insecure to admit their shortcomings or even their mistakes make me feel that they lack good emotional intelligence," says Yves Lermusi, CEO of Checkster.
Granted, the "weakness question" is one of the worst, in my humble opinion. You do have to be very selective about how you answer it, and you've got to put the best positive "spin" on it. Thus the answer often feels contrived, not genuine.
In fact, the topic was the focus of an earlier edition of the Roundtable. The recruiters made some good points about the usefulness of the "weakness question" and how to answer it well.
Prevalent Pet Peeves
Here are a few more common job-seekers foibles that aggravate recruiters:
Not tailoring a resume and cover letter to the job description
Not spell-checking and grammar-checking a resume
Not doing enough research on the company or position
The unemployment figures from April played out with a sort of positive spin in many media outlets today: The loss of 539,000 jobs and rise to 8.9% unemployment was "less bad" than many economists anticipated.
While the loss of half a million jobs in a month is not good news, it makes sense that we might seize on some glimmer as a bright side. April's job loss was the smallest in the last six months!
In the spirit of accentuating the positive, I'm intrigued by a survey released this week that found 7 in 10 workers reported at least one positive career-related result from the current recession.
According to the survey, developed by accounting/finance staffing firm Accountemps, employed respondents said they benefited from tackling new projects (53%) or gaining more responsibility (52%). Additionally, 12% said they had been promoted.
The low percentage of promotions suggests that the extra work may be unrewarded in many cases.
"While many employees are willing to stick it out during difficult times, companies must be prepared to reward those who have taken on added responsibilities as soon as business conditions improve or risk losing valued staff," says Max Messmer, CEO of Accountemps' parent Robert Half International.
Let's hope every CEO and chief human resources officer hears and heeds his message!
For now, most workers are happy to have jobs, but everyone must make sure that short-term sacrifices -- as in pay freezes or cuts -- do not turn into long-term setbacks. For more on this, see the article "Will the Recession Deflate Your Income Forever?"
All this good news is making me think about champagne with my canned-soup dinner tonight.
Surprise singing phenom Susan Boyle is lucky she got a chance to sing during her first appearance on "Britain's Got Talent," because the "interview" portion before her song offers some great examples of what NOT to do in a job interview.
If you're not familiar with the clip, watch it now -- it's a wonderfully inspiring and instructive moment on many levels.
When the unemployed singer first walks on stage, she starts what is essentially a job interview. And the three interviewers -- as well as the crowd -- begin judging her based on her appearance and her demeanor.
This nonverbal sizing up happens every day and in every interview. Experts say that most hiring decisions happen in the first 10 minutes of an interview. You could be doomed before you get a chance to sing.
Susan's first moments with the interviewers are awkward. She fumbles with small talk about her home town. She responds to another light-hearted comment by swiveling her hips suggestively, raising a possible red flag about her judgment. These elements of her initial presentation have the interviewers and audience against her (as a judge later admits).
Sure, she was probably nervous, and most job interviewers are, too. But nervous behavior can backfire very quickly.
When you arrive at a job interview, make sure you are prepared for elements that are common judgment points in those first moments:
Make sure your outfit is appropriate for the job and fits well, and that your appearance is well-groomed.
Arrive five minutes early.
Greet the receptionist warmly and politely, as he or she might offer impressions to the hiring manager.
Offer a firm handshake with your interviewer.
Maintain good eye contact.
Engage politely in small talk if the interviewer leads that way.
The positive takeaways from Susan Boyle's big moment: her confidence and security. People laugh or gasp the moment she mentions her dream of being like stage star Elaine Page, but she doesn't flinch. She knows who she is and what she wants, no apologies.
Being confident and comfortable with yourself comes across in many nonverbal ways, and it usually impresses recruiters and hiring managers.
Susan's confidence and talent were enough to redeem her and adjust faulty first impressions, but not everybody gets that kind of opportunity.
Nikhil Arora (pictured) and Alex Velez are two college seniors who aren't worried about finding a job after graduation; they're going to create jobs instead.
Both are graduating from the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley to work at their new company, BTTR Ventures. The company grows specialty mushrooms from tons of coffee waste generated by java joints throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
BTTR (as in "better") stands for "back to the roots" and "encompasses the idea of creating a company that stands for sustainability, and progress, social responsibility," the two men say.
They launched the company on Earth Day with a press conference at their mushroom-growing facility in Oakland, Calif. Local coffee stores such as Starbucks, Peet's, and Tully's are among the participating suppliers of waste, and A&B Produce of South San Francisco, a large mushroom wholesaler, plans to partner with BTTR Ventures for sales and distribution.
I interviewed Velez, 21, and Arora, 22, just before their big Earth Day launch.
Question: How did you learn about growing mushrooms from coffee grounds?
Alex Velez: Nikhil and I have been doing substantial research on growing mushrooms and have been working closely with two expert mycologists, Chido Govero and Carmenza Jaramillo, from Zimbabwe and Colombia, respectively. We have also been testing our various methods on a smaller scale for many months to perfect the techniques that they have mastered over the past 15 years.
What made you want to turn this into a viable business?
A.V.: Nikhil and I truly believe that doing business and doing good do not have to be separate philosophies. We initially heard of this idea through fellow entrepreneur and close mentor, Gunter Pauli, who lectured at one of our classes. We believed in the potential of this idea to truly better our community, and create a profit. However, it wasn't until after a few weeks of brainstorming and in-depth due diligence that we were able to create this regionally based, locally operated, closed-loop, zero-waste business model.
Part of your company's mission is to "create urban jobs." How do you plan to do that, and where?
Nikhil Arora: As we expand production, we are looking to hire urban workers into green-collar jobs. This will include individuals collecting coffee waste, managing the production facility where the mushrooms grow, and distributing them to our regional customers. We are excited for the ability to turn a waste stream into a green-job creator in the Bay Area.
Part of your business model includes "giving back" to communities. How?
N.A.: We want to reinvest a substantial amount of our profits back into the community from which the waste, jobs, and customers come from. Our plan is to donate 10% of our profits to organizations that focus on empowering?the local inner-city youth through mentorship programs.
The Class of 2009 faces a tough job market, but the climate is also tough for new businesses. What gives you confidence that BTTR Ventures can thrive in this economy?
N.A.: I think this economy gives us the best chance to start such a company. It's clear that businesses operating with the sole mindset of profits, without any concern for their surrounding communities and environment, got us into this economic mess. Customers are looking to support companies during these tough times that operate with integrity, respect, and a desire to uplift their communities. That's why we think BTTR Ventures can succeed: we're offering a quality product with an environmentally focused model.
What practical advice would you give to potential entrepreneurs who might have a novel idea for starting a business?
N.A.: Beyond all else, you have to pursue opportunities that pull at your heart. You have to believe 100% in your product, your mission, and your long-term vision for the company. If you're passionate about your idea, all the other work -- the nitty-gritty of starting a company -- doesn't seem so challenging anymore.
The longer the job search, the bigger the need for antidepressants. But that may be less true if you are higher up the corporate ladder.
Last month Robert Half Management Resources (RHMR) released an interesting survey, suggesting that senior-level managers can be out of work for nine months before it has adverse affects on their careers.
The research was based on a telephone survey of 150 senior executives from the nation's 1,000 largest companies.
"Extended [job] searches aren't unusual," Paul McDonald, RHMR's executive director, said in a press release. "Most hiring managers recognize the economy has sidelined many outstanding people."
But the economy has sidelined many others who might not classify themselves as "senior managers" or be calm about a 36-week job hunt. For them, the question may be less a matter of "how long" but "how you handle it" in a resume or interview.
Here are some tips for making sure a lengthy period of unemployment doesn't hurt your hiring chances, no matter what your career level.
Don't hide it. You don't necessarily have to address a long post-layoff period on a resume, but be prepared to discuss it in an interview. Even if it's a simple statement like, "With today's struggling economy, finding the right job fit for me is taking a bit longer this time."
Focus on relevant pursuits or skills during time off. Did you volunteer for a charity during your time off? Help out with a professional organization or a community group? Learn a new software program? These experiences may yield skills or show character qualities you'll want to highlight in a cover letter or interview. (This applies beyond layoff periods, as in stay-at-home parents returning to the workforce.)
Stay positive. Set your expectations with the knowledge that it will take longer to find work, and rejection is a normal part of the job-search process. Do what you can to stay confident with a positive outlook, as those are key to a winning self-presentation.
As college students get ready to leave school and start work, many adult workers are now heading back to campus.
And they're not part of a flash mob trying to act out the song "I Wish I Could Go Back to College" from Avenue Q. These people are training for new jobs.
According to a recent article in USA Today, many post-layoff paths are leading back to the classroom. Enrollment in community college is up 27% this year, according to an informal survey by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). A spokeswoman from the group said that displaced workers account for most of the growth.
Many of the students are training for jobs in health care, many of which do not require a four-year bachelor's degree. Two-year nursing programs are popular, but students can train to be a pharmacy technician, physical therapist aide, or phlebotomist in a matter of months. A short certification program is usually sufficient for growing jobs as a medical assistant or home care aide.
Brief certification programs for others fields can also buffer you from future layoffs while providing decent pay. These professions include court reporters, massage therapists, cosmetologists (definitely can't offshore hair stylists!), and auto mechanics.
Even if you haven't been laid off, getting more education is often a good way to enhance your job security. The unemployment rate for people with a bachelor's degree is currently 4.3%, compared with the overall national rate of 8.5%. And keeping your skills current through various training programs will make you a more valuable employee.
Job hunting season is getting more competitive than ever, and some creative participants are taking it to a risky new level.
Take Beverly Shepard. An award-winning marketer with degrees in journalism and law, she has tried for months to find work. She sent resumes, made phone calls, and networked - with little result.
Now she's put her networking into hyperdrive: She's offering friends a finder's fee of up to $6,000 to get her a full-time job.
Expanding Reach in a Big Way
Shepard, who lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has set her offer to expire on April 30 as an incentive for her friends to "work fast."
Networking also inspired Mark Heuer, an unemployed management professional, to take out a billboard to advertise his job search. "I thought, 'How can I get in front of more people?' Highway 45 in Milwaukee captures 100,000+ cars a day," he said.
San Francisco resident Robin Stearns was so fed up with the bleak job market for her husband, a recent MBA graduate, that she started the site myhusbandneedsajob.com.
Both Heuer and Stearns told Yahoo! HotJobs their approaches have attracted widespread media attention and some interviews, but as of this writing no relevant job offers.
Should You Try It?
While these and other tactics -- like display ads on social networking sites or elaborate video resumes -- can make any job seeker stand out, some experts caution about getting too creative.
"Even in today's market, it's excelling at the fundamentals that helps job seekers stand out," says Andy Denka, executive director of financial staffing firm Accountemps. "Individuals should focus their efforts first and foremost on creative top-notch resumes, networking with everyone they know, and honing their interview skills."
"I recommend doing things that set oneself above the sea of candidates that are out seeking opportunity," says Heuer, who took the billboard approach. "Especially now in unprecedented times."
But renting a billboard now might just make you seem like a copycat.
